“Next 50 Years for Taekwondo, Requires Construction of the Second Taekwondo and Taekwondo Community’s Solidary and Harmony ”

Kukkiwon’s 50th Anniversary Ceremony and Inauguration Ceremony for 17th President Dong-sup Lee End in Success

Event held On November 30, 2PM in the Mail Building of Kukkiwon … Around 500 Guests from Various Fields

Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters, successfully completed the 50th Anniversary Ceremony and the inauguration ceremony for the 17th President of Kukkiwon. Even South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol sent a congratulatory message.

The event was held on November 30, at 2PM in the main building of Kukkiwon in the presence of around 500 guests including senior Taekwondo instructors, members of the Council of Elders, members of the Technical Committee, heads of city and provincial Taekwondo associations, member of the National Assembly and foreign ambassadors.

Taekwondo officials and sports figures among the guests were Asia Taekwondo Federation President Kyu-seok Lee, Korea Taekwondo Association President Jin-bang Yang, Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Chairman Oh Eung-hwon, Korea National Sport University President Yong-Kyu Ahn, Korean Sport & Olympic Committee’s Head of National Training Center In-tak Yu, senior Taekwondo instructor Dae-won Moon, heads of the nine Taekwondo kwans, foreign representatives of national Taekwondo associations, elder members of the 9th Dan Association, Taekwondo instructors sent abroad by the Korean government, members of the Council of Elders, grandmasters, members of the Technical Committee and heads of city and provincial Taekwondo associations.

Jae-myung Lee, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea send a congratulatory message. Ho-young Joo, the floor leader of the People Power Party, members of the National Assembly, Myeong-soo Lee, Heon-seung Lee, Tae-gyu Lee and Seok-jun Song from the People Power Party, Sang-min Lee, Jong-seong Lim and Ho-yeong Ahn from the Democratic Party of Korea were among the guests as well. Administrative Deputy Mayor Shin-hwan Oh of Seoul Metropolitan City and Muju County Mayor In-hong Hwang also attended the event.

Ik-pyo Hong (Democratic Party of Korea), Chairman of the Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee of the National Assembly, Kyung-won Na, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy sent congratulatory video messages. Gwang-young Kim, Mayor of Jeollabuk-do Province, National Assembly members Sang-hyun Yoon, Moon-pyo Hong and Cheol-gyu Lee from the People Power Party, and Yeong-ho Kim from the Democratic Party of Korea also sent congratulatory messages.

The opening speech by Seung-wan Lee, Chairman of Kukkiwon’s Council of Elders was followed by an inauguration speech, congratulatory speeches, presentation of honorary 7th dans to National Assembly members, Sang-min Lee (Democratic Party of Korea), Heon-seung Lee, Seok-jun Song, Tae-gyu Lee from the People Power Party and Jong-seong Lim and Ho-yeong Ahn from the Democratic Party of Korea who were co-sponsors for a bill for the amendment of the Act on the Promotion of Taekwondo and Creation of Taekwondo Park President Dong-sup Lee proposed as the primary sponsor when he was a member of the 20th National Assembly to make Taekwondo Korea’s national martial art and lastly, a presentation on the future vision of Kukkiwon.

“It is a great honor to be part of the event celebrating the 50th anniversary of Kukkiwon and the inauguration ceremony at the same time. I promise you once again that I will install Taekwondo branches and offices in 212 countries around the world and build the second Kukkiwon” said President Dong-sup Lee in his inauguration speech.

“Taekwondo is Korea’s proud martial art and was the first Korean Wave content. The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea will provide all the support to further develop the martial art” said National Assembly member Ho-young Joo (People Power Party) in his congratulatory speech.

“Seoul City and Kukkiwon signed a MOU on May 2 to build the second Kukkiwon. We will provide support to have the second Kukkiwon successfully built and make sure the city of Seoul serves as a driving force for this nation” said Administrative Deputy Mayor Shin-hwan Oh of Seoul Metropolitan City.

“I hope Kukkiwon continues to serve as a guide for Taekwondo and improves Korea’s status as the birthplace of Taekwondo. Us members of the Taekwondo community must all unite and contribute to the development of Kukkiwon” said Dae-won Moon, Grandmaster and Pioneer of Taekwondo in Mexico in his congratulatory speech.

President Dong-sup Lee gave a presentation on “Kukkiwon’s Future Vision”. He suggested “5 Strategies and 10 Tasks” to move towards an era of solidarity and harmony based on the quantitative expansion and globalization of Taekwondo in the past 50 years. He also emphasized the need to enhance the global presence of Kukkiwon and Taekwondo through the construction of the second Kukkiwon, renovation of Kukkiwon and installation of overseas Taekwondo offices and branches. President Lee promised that he will improve the systems, laws and regulations for Taekwondo, establish plans to improve the interests and rights of Taekwondo practitioners and to invigorate the Taekwondo industries.

There was also a special moment that touched the hearts of the guests where deepfake technology was used to make Kim Un-yong, the late founder of Kukkiwon and President Dong-sup Lee appear on the stage together and ask the guests for continued support and love to Kukkiwon and Taekwondo a brighter future.

The Taekwondo Spirit and its emphasis on the importance of harmony and peace was portrayed through wonderful performances by Kukkiwon’s multi-cultural choir “Rainbow” which is comprised of 17 members from 10 countries and Taekwondo Demonstration Team.

Meanwhile, earlier at 10AM in the International Conference Hall of the Korea Science and Technology Center, the “Ceremony for the 50th Anniversary of Sending Taekwondo Instructors Abroad” was held in the presence of around 40 foreign ambassadors from the nations where Taekwondo instructors have been sent and around 90 instructors working abroad.